**Title: Alberta Teachers Strike Highlights Education System Challenges**

Teachers in Alberta's public, Catholic, and francophone schools are currently on strike, impacting over 700,000 students. The strike, organized by the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA), has led to school closures, significantly disrupting the daily lives of families across the province. In contrast, students and educators at non-unionized K-12 charter and private schools continue their regular activities without interruption.

The strike has intensified calls from public education advocates to reduce funding for charter and private schools, arguing that public dollars should be redirected to strengthen public education. A referendum petition has been initiated by a Calgary teacher, proposing that the Alberta government cease its practice of funding accredited independent (private) schools.

While many sympathize with the challenges faced by the 51,000 ATA teachers, including overcrowded classrooms and increased complexities due to Alberta's rapid population growth, some experts warn against limiting educational choices for families. Joanna DeJong VanHof, a K-12 education expert based in Hamilton, stated, "I think it’s a failure of imagination. The overcrowding and the complexity within public education classrooms is very real, and it’s very challenging. But it’s a failure of imagination not to see how we can do education better, deploying Alberta’s charter and private schools as part of the solution to those challenges."

DeJong VanHof noted that educational choice is often viewed as a conservative value, yet support for independent education spans various political affiliations across Canada. Alberta currently provides the highest funding level for private schools, covering 70% of what public school students receive, while other provinces like Ontario offer no funding at all.

DeJong VanHof, who serves as the education director for a non-partisan think tank, emphasized that parents are increasingly seeking educational options. She pointed out that even in Ontario, where independent schools receive no funding, the demand for alternative educational options continues to rise. "Parents do want options," she concluded, noting the growth of independent schools despite significant barriers.

Alberta is unique in offering charter schools as an additional K-12 option. Established in 1994 under former Premier Ralph Klein, charter schools provide publicly funded education without tuition fees. These schools follow the Alberta curriculum but employ non-unionized teachers and often focus on specialized areas such as arts or STEM.

DeJong VanHof highlighted the high demand for charter and independent schools in Alberta, stating, "We know that demand is very high for charter schools and independent schools. Families want these options … there are currently waitlists."

In response to the growing need for educational spaces, Premier Danielle Smith announced an $8.6 billion K-12 accelerator program aimed at enhancing school construction and modernization. This initiative includes a charter school accelerator program designed to create 12,500 new charter school spaces over the next four years.

DeJong VanHof argued that independent schools can respond more quickly to capacity issues, stating, "Independent schools have the ability to be much more nimble and flexible, and can have those shovels in the ground much quicker and so they can be part of the solution to some of the overcrowding."

Instead of focusing on petitions and the debate over public funding, DeJong VanHof advocates for a broader discussion on how to meet the diverse needs of Alberta families. She noted, "Clearly the waitlists have doubled and tripled for charter education and also for independent education. So, let’s unleash that opportunity."

She emphasized Alberta's historical commitment to educational choice, stating, "Alberta is a province that has, from its very inception, embraced ideas of availability of choice in education."

DeJong VanHof also criticized the prevailing narrative surrounding education in Canada, which often pits public against private education. She suggested reframing the conversation to focus on the fundamental purpose of education, asking, "What is education ultimately for? What is its purpose? Why do we do it?" For her, education should foster human development and flourishing, necessitating a variety of options for families in a diverse society like Canada.